Chapter 16: The Endless Night
With the clones under Braga's command, it took only a single planet rotation for them to completely take the entire space station before Zero wishes to show him something important on Salvation. Since the station was taken, it did not take long to force the Separatists to abandon the planet along with Trench himself. Even if the enemy commander escaped their grasps, Braga's attention was turned to Salvation and what Zero wanted to show him that was so important that he did not want to show him a holographic image. As he made his way to the hanger bay of the station, Rex could not help but get in his way stopping the towering Forerunners.
"Thank you for taking Commander Braga. Because of you, we were not only to take the station with haste but also didn't lose as many troops. Your help is always welcomed," Rex spoke earning a faint nod from Braga. "Where are you headed off to?"
"Another assignment," Braga bluntly answered before walking past Rex. "Keep up the good work captain,"
Rex watched as Braga's form was slowly starting to fade without a trace. This made the clone trooper shake his head in confusion before making his way to meet with his platoon.
-Salvation-
Braga arrived with Nightfall Squad present and even the Night Children earning a raised brow from the Forerunner.
"Seems your brother wanted an audience," Ventress said with a groan while she had her arms crossed under her bust.
Braga nodded before turning his attention to the Night Children to find that Ahsoka was missing.
"Where is Ahsoka Tano?" Braga asked looking at Ventress who shrugged.
"She wanted time off, so I allowed it. Something about going back to Coruscant to check on things," Ventress answered in which her attention shifted to the center of the hanger bay along with the rest of her group, Nightfall Squad, and Braga seeing the floor open up.
Out of the opened floor flew Zero making Braga sigh while crossing his arms. No one had any idea what Zero wanted until he flew into the opening to come out a second later with a full body. Braga's eyes grew wide as Zero walked up to them revealing the body to be identical to a Promethean soldier yet bulkier. Zero stopped in front of Braga revealing his height being equal to the Forerunner while also revealing that he had no present weapon to which Braga knee full well we're constructed within the Promethean warriors form.
"I have used the blueprint layout of something known as a Warden Eternal within the network before we jumped as a base to create my own body. It's smaller than the original and by far not as powerful either since I can only keep one copy and more so cannot create portals to escape if this body is to be destroyed," Zero explained while turning to face the others. "I am Zero Eternal within this body. One I would like to test which is why I wished to see everyone here,"
"I'd you wished to test your new body then it would have been more effective to go on a mission in claiming more Lucrehulks," Braga pointed out earning a slow head shake from Zero who turned to face the Forerunner again.
"Such a thing would only limit my full capabilities as I am bond by the creed and fighting against normal battle droids would merely show five percent of my body's functions or possibly less depending on their struggle," Zero replied earning a heavy sigh from Braga again.
"How were you able to manifest this body with the lake of the Mantle? Since it is the same as a Promethean soldier ...would it not be better to create more Promethean soldiers or even knights?" Braga asked tilting his head slightly left.
"Impossible. I was able to create this body because I am the only artificial intelligence string enough to keep up with its functions. Not even my copies would be strong enough to control such a body...which is why I installed my main body to it. The blueprints were very complicated even for me to understand...which is why it took my full attention to create as well as understand," Zero explained while backing up from Braga.
"Very well..." Braga spoke closing his eyes. "Who will you be fighting first? The Night Children or Nightfall Squad?"
"Both," Zero answered looking at Ventress then at Eclipse.
Ventress and Eclipse immediately look at Braga who only nodded his head. Eclipse returned the nod before backing up along with his squad preparing themselves. The Dathomirian smirked at this whole activating her energy sabers while Pluma cocked her rifle with Omen standing beside the Kage gripping his hands into fists.
"A word of advice...work together," Braga warned as he levitated backward before his form faded away.
Ventress paid no mind to this before she charged at Zero Eternal who was looking at Eclipse who immediately started to construct scout sentries and hunters. Zero raised his left hand to grab Ventress's neck and slam her into the ceiling before tossing her aside and charging at Nightfall Squad. Omen ran forward and caught Ventress while Pluma took a shot at Zeroes exposed core on his back making him break down into orange glass and scatter before flying back toward the Night Children. Pluma saw this and widened her eyes while trying to fire at the pieces as Zero reformed behind the Kage welding a large Promethean blade that was racing down toward her form.
"Move!" Ventress shouted as Omen took hold of the Dathomirian and launched her at Zero allowing her dual-energy sabers to clash with the AI's blade and pushing him back.
Nightfall Squad took this chance to charge as the fifty scout sentries all started to swarm Zero while the hunters focused on his weak point. Blackout fused his arms while Nighthound repositioned himself on the ceiling to wait for an opening. It was clear that although they never talked about a plan, The Night Children were taking the brunt of the attack while Nightfall Squad was trying to do as much damage as possible. Ventress pushed herself off Zeroes blade allowing Blackout to open fire on the Zero Eternal in the face making him stagger backward giving Nighthound the chance he waited for by firing at his head making him fall back.
As Zero fell to the ground, he shattered into millions of pieces before they started to scatter about the area. Both teams looked at the pieces that flew about with Ventress even swiping at them which did nothing. Eclipse took this chance to start focusing on constructing three heavy sentries with Blackout standing guard while Nighthound turned invisible to repositioned himself. Pluma took this chance to also relocate herself while Omen stayed by Ventress's side.
"Night Children will fall first," Zero spoke forming in front of Pluma and reforming his entire body before her before kicking the Kage to the ground earning a pained scream.
Omen immediately charged at Zero and shifted his right arm into a cable before jumping up and piercing his forehead. Once Omen was in Zeroes head, he flooded the Forerunner AI with viruses hoping to shut him down. That was until Zero took hold of Omen and snapped his right arm off followed by tearing his lower body off as well. Ventress's eyes widen before screaming and charging at Zero who dropped Omens upper half on the ground. Zero turned to the sound of screaming and brought his hand out to grab her sabers while narrowing his eyes. The look of complete surprise was written all over Ventress's face as Zero held both energy sabers in one hand without any issues before he pulled her forward and slammed his knee into her gut followed by bringing his free hand down on her back causing her to fall to the ground knocked out.
"Code: Pitch Black!" Eclipse shouted causing Zero to look at Magnaguard droid and B2 super battle droids.
Zeroes eyes grew wide as Black had been equipped with all three heavy sentries with his cannon fully charged. The towering Promethean warden quickly brought its hands upfront to create an oval hard light shield just as Blackout fired all four cannons that crashed into the barrier.
Normally it would have been reflected but the amount of raw power being shot did not just crack the shield but destroyed it making Zero take the remaining energy. Zero used his arms as a secondary shield that shattered protecting the rest of his body while his arms were obliterated. Sadly, Blackouts battery ran out making him shut down along with the three heavy sentries leaving an armless Zero and Eclipse present. The towering Eternal fell to his knee facing the ground with his optics aimed at the floor causing Eclipse to stay on guard before Zero collapsed. Eclipse watched carefully before Zeroes image started to static revealing it to be no more than a hologram followed by Nighthound being snagged from the ceiling and slammed into the ground.
Eclipse watched as Zero stood up with his arms completely functional while turning to face the lone Magnaguard. The Magnaguard sighed and raised his hands in surrender earning a nod from Zero.
Seeing the defeated the two groups with minimal effort, he turned to face Braga who had revealed himself standing tall with his arms crossed.
"Hard light shield, Active Camouflage, Holographic Image, and possibly more," Braga started while slowly unfolding his arms.
"I have installed every ability into his body. One that might even be a match for you Brother Braga," Zero Eternal spoke rolling his shoulders back.
"First things first," Braga said nudging his head to the others.
"Of course," Zero spoke as his eye flickered on and off for a few seconds before going back to normal.
A swarm of engineer sentinels flew in and started to carry both groups out until Ventress woke up and started thrashing around. Zero turned and swayed his left hand causing the single sentinel to let the Dathomirian be. Ventress landed on the ground with some difficulty while holding her gut as she looked around.
"Was it...that you one-sided?" Ventress asked looking at Zero who merely nodded his head.
"Both teams put up a good fight...but not enough to be a real threat to me nor my body," Zero answered bluntly earning a scuff from Ventress.
"Now what?" Ventress asked before looking at Braga and widened her eyes. "You're fighting Braga now?"
"But of course. I must test the full functions of this body of mine. What better way to test it than fight the strongest warrior right now," Zero spoke facing Braga.
"And from what I have seen...I will have to take this fight seriously," Braga spoke clapping his hands together before pulling them apart.
Unlike his previous actions, as Braga was pulling his hands apart, his armor started to detach from his body and attach itself to the energy rod morphing it from a spear and into a long sword. Ventress looked at this in awe while Braga rested the large sword on his shoulder while rolling his opposite. Braga's bulky armor now was nothing more than a skinsuit with his arms, head, shoulder, and feet being the only armor he had.
"How long has it been since you've let loose Brother Braga?" Zero asked transforming his entire right arm into a blade while his left arm shifted into a photon beam cannon which was the replica of Braga's.
"Not long enough," Braga answered with a sigh while pushing his forerunner claymore with his shoulder to hold it in one hand and aim it at Zero.
Zero nodded before he quickly turned and fired at Braga with his photon beam cannon. Braga stood his ground as his hard light shift formed in front of him. As the beam touched the shield, it was deflected back at Zero forcing him to lean back and avoid being hit in the face. Braga continued to stand his ground with his long sword pointed at Zero before the AI charged toward the Forerunner.
Braga waited before his hard light shield faded and formed behind his body revealing the Zero in front of the Forerunner was a hologram while the real one tried to flank. Seeing his cover was blown, Zero quickly moved back as Braga did a quick spiral followed by the AI's left hand falling to the ground. Ventress looked to where Zeroes hand had fallen and glanced at Braga who had charged forward using his hard light shield as a battering ram which launched the AI backward. It was however not enough to topple Zero but that was all Braga needed to kneel and sweep at the Eternal's feet to cut them off.
Without his feet, Zero started to fall face-first to the ground but used his left stump to stay somewhat standing until he looked up to see Braga descend toward his body. Seeing this, Zero quickly shattered into pieces barely avoiding the stab before reforming five feet away from Braga. Braga's sword had impaled the ground in which Zero took his chance to raise his hands and levitated inches off the ground to gather energy into a small sphere of complete darkness before throwing it at the Forerunner. Ventress watched carefully as Braga faced the coming sphere and transformed his left arm into his light rifle but unlike normal, it had strange symbols on it.
Braga shot at the sphere of energy and watched as the three energy bolts sparked before exploding and destroying the ball with ease. Zero narrowed his eyes at this before closing his eyes and reforming his lost hand ad feet within seconds. By the time Zero was back up to full power, Braga had aimed with his right arm with his Ion Beam Cannon fully charged but with silence. The AI was forced to break into pieces to avoid the energy beam while seeing Braga without his sword. Once he completely turned into pieces, he fled and reformed behind Braga until he jerked forward with Braga's back facing Zero.
Zero looked down to see Braga's sword had impaled him from behind which started to turn the body into ash aside from his head. Braga sighed as the sword flew over the Forerunner and shattered only to connect with his body once more. While Braga was regaining his armor, Zero floated over to the Forerunners side disappointed with his body.
"The outcome was to be expected," Zero announced while looking over to where his body was.
"What...was that?" Ventress asked walking over to Braga and Zero.
This caught the AI's attention as he flew over to the bounty hunter.
"What else would it be? Beta testing," Zero answered while tilting his form slightly before looking at Braga. "But if you are talking about Braga's fighting style it is a very simple one,"
"Simple? What's so simple about his style? Not only was he able to counter your attacks but predict your style," Ventress spoke while looking at Zero before her gaze back on Braga.
"His style consists of only counters. Nothing else," Zero admitted.
"What of his sword? Something that large should have a lot of weight to it," Ventress continued to ask.
"His sword is known as Blade of Silence," Zero corrected before shaking his head. "Only a few get to see it and live to tell about it. As you saw, it is no ordinary sword...clearly...but do not take its form for granted. Its form is made with Forerunner armor. Almost the highest grade. As such it offers no resistance nor any difficulties in use...provided it is the proper owner,"
"Brother Zero. Did you get the information you needed?" Braga asked looking at his brother than at Ventress with his arms crossed.
"Yes, I did Brother Braga. Much appreciated," Zero said before flying over to the Forerunner's side.
"...is that the reason you do not spar with me Braga? Am I that predictable?" Ventress asked walking up to the Forerunner.
"Yes," Braga answered bluntly.
"With that out of the way, my other selves wished to speak with you as well Brother Braga," Zero spoke as three screens appeared.
Braga nodded his head before facing Ventress.
"You should check on yourself and your group," Braga pointed out in which Ventress nodded her head.
"What of Omen?" Ventress asked causing Zero to open a small holographic screen.
"As we speak, Omen's body is being repaired," Zero answered in which Ventress nodded again before making her way toward the door only to stop at the entrance of the entrance.
"When will I be worthy enough to fight you Braga on equal grounds?" Ventress asked glancing over her shoulder at the Forerunner.
"Not even I know that answer Ventress," Braga answered looking at the bounty hunter before she turned her gaze forward and left the hanger bay.
"Now to the next order of business..." Zero spoke flying in front of Braga.
"What business?" Braga asked narrowing his eyes.
"My other copies wished to discuss building a stronger foundation of the Night," Zero spoke earning a sigh from raga.
"Then we shall discuss this...business within the communications room," Braga spoke making his way to the comm rooms.
As Braga entered the room, he made his way to the center as three large holo screens appeared around the Forerunner.
"Commander Braga. We wish to speak about a way to strengthen our foundations," Eta-Zero spoke earning Braga's attention.
"What do you mean?" Braga asked confused.
"Delta and Eta-Zero wish to construct their own flagship using the ships they currently own," Zero spoke as he was still over Braga's shoulder.
"What flagship do you plan on constructing?" Braga asked looking between Eta-Zero and Delta-Zero.
"We would like permission to construct a dreadnaught Lucrehulk," Eta-Zero started while Braga faced the ground.
"A dreadnaught Lucrehulk?" Braga repeated while a single holographic image appeared in front of the Forerunner.
The dreadnaught blueprints showed it was more than twice the size of a normal Lucrehulk increasing either its firepower or troop limit.
"Approved. Begin construction as soon as the engineers are finished modifying all the droids within the Lucrehulks hold," Braga commanded.
"Understood Commander Braga," Eta-Zero and Delta-Zero responded in unison before their screens faded away as Braga slowly turned his body to face Omega-Zero.
"Commander Braga. I request permission to build additional factories in a means to increase our sentinel production," Omega-Zero spoke making Braga nod his head.
"How many factories will you be able to build Omega?" Zero asked tilting his head.
"Putting his mass into account, Omega-Zero would be able to construct a maximum of ten factories," Zero calculated while looking at Omega as well.
"...proceed with building nine Sentinel factories while making the last one a droid factory," Braga said making Zero face his brother confused.
"Why a droid factory Brother Braga?" Zero asked.
"Our sentinels can only do so much on planets. Although their capabilities are effective on the battlefield and engineering, they lack in other areas such as stealth or even communicating with species," Braga answered earning a nod from Zero.
"What will Omega construct?" Zero asked.
"For now, Omega will construct Hyenas. Nothing else until further testing is done," Braga answered looking at the original Zero.
"Understood Commander Braga," Omega-Zero spoke before fading away leaving Braga with his brother.
"Is there any other business to tend to today Brother Zero?" Braga asked looking at Zero with narrowed eyes.
"Nightfall squad is requesting permission to be upgraded," Zero answered making Braga unfold his arms and sway his hands seeing the plans Eclipse wished to build on one in which caught his interest.
"Fusion?" Braga whispered while reading the details earning a faint grin over his lips.
"Is there something wrong Brother Braga?" Zero asked looking at the designs.
"Within the Forerunner-Flood War files, there were sentinels that fused in a means to protect our worlds. Although it was not unbreakable, it still took an insane amount of firepower to breakthrough," Braga explained while glancing at Zero then back at the blueprints. "Approved,"
"They have been notified," Zero spoke while Braga sighed heavily. "Something on your mind?"
"I do not know what it is, but I have a bad feeling about the future..." Braga answered unsure of what he was feeling and why.
"What do you want to do?" Zero asked tilting his body slightly.
"...send out scout sentinels to keep an eye on all the Jedis taking part in this war, one per a Jedi, as well as a platoon of Hyenas, to keep watch of the Jedi Temple," Braga instructed.
"I understand the Jedi's but why the temple as well? " Zero suggested causing Braga to shake his head.
"The Hyenas role is simple. Monitor the Jedi temple...nothing more nor less," Braga spoke closing his eyes.
"...understood Brother Braga," Zero replied causing his eye to flicker slightly. "They have all been deployed, Brother Braga,"
"Good...now...is there anything that needs my attention?" Braga asked opening his eyes and facing Zero.
"None. All have been dealt with...which begs the question Brother Braga...what now? Our forces are still growing in number...we have our foundation with the creed, but we still need a face," Zero pointed out causing Braga to face the ground.
"A face..." Braga repeated while thinking.
"Ahsoka and Ventress cannot be the face of the Night as it is ever-changing," Zero stated.
"...then it is clear that the face of the Night shall be you or me," Braga said looking at Zero who chuckled.
"Me? No. If anyone will be the face of our foundation...it would be you, Brother Braga," Zero pointed out earning a scuff from the Forerunner. "I know you do not want to be the center of attention nor a figurehead, but we need a leader. The Night must be guided by someone, and it cannot be me,"
"...I cannot take up the mantle...not yet," Braga spoke closing his eyes.
"You will have to take up the mantle of the Night sooner or later," Zero reminded before fading away. "And until you take the Mantle of the Night...we will only be at our minimal strength Brother Braga,"
Time passed as the Braga was left unattended as well as uninterrupted in the means to strengthen the Night army. After months of silence, he was finally contacted by not only the Jedi Master Obi-wan but Ahsoka Tano as well. Sighing at this, he swayed his hands to open a channel to speak with Ahsoka in private.
"Ahsoka. Do you need help?" Braga asked with his arms crossed.
"Yes...Mandalore is under the rule of a Rogue Sith Lord Maul and we need help. We lack the manpower to take back the planet," Ahsoka spoke while folding her arms under her bust.
"And you seek to ask the help of the Night?" Braga asked narrowing his eyes.
"...yes...please Braga. The people are suffering under Maul's rule," Ahsoka pleaded in which Braga's gaze softened.
"Under one condition," Braga spoke turning his gaze to the female Mandalorian beside Ahsoka. "Mandalore falls under my protection as well as an agreement to allow the army of the Night to be stationed,"
Ahsoka looked at Bo-Katan who walked in front of the Togruta holding her helmet.
"Do you agree to this condition?" Braga asked.
"...if I agree...what do you get in return?" Bo-Katan asked narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing," Braga spoke causing Bo-Katan to blink her eyes before glaring at Braga.
"Sounds too good to be true," Bo-Katan replied while Braga nodded his head.
"I am not one for ruling over anyone or thing. My only desire is to protect every species way of life," Braga said while looking at Ahsoka.
"What if they were born to be slavers?" Ahsoka asked taking a step forward in which Braga sighed.
"No one is born to be a slaver...they were raised," Braga replied before facing Bo-Katan again.
"What exactly will you do to...protect Mandalore?" Bo-Katan asked tilting her head while tilting her head.
"Station one of my ships over the planet in a means to keep a watchful eye on them. If Mandalore were to be invaded by outside forces...then Mandalore will have the complete backing of the Night," Braga answered before glaring at Bo-Katan. "However...you are not allowed to invade or terrorize worlds,"
"That is not our way!" Bo-Katan shouted.
"Nor is it mine. Your old ways are long gone Mandalorian. Either accept my terms...or the people suffer," Braga spoke while closing his eyes.
Bo-Katana was about to decline the offer only to be grabbed by Ahsoka who whispered to her. The Mandalorian's eyes grew wide3 before she looked over her shoulder at Braga and sighed.
"I accept," Bo-Katan spoke earning a nod from Braga.
"Then The Night will arrive in due time," Braga spoke closing the transmission.
"How many will ships will you send to invade Mandalore?" Zero asked appearing over Braga's shoulder.
"None. From what I could tell from the scout sentinel watching over Ahsoka...the Republic will also be helping," Braga said opening his eyes slightly. "Send all available assault sentinel's,"
"All of them? Brother Braga...that's close to one-hundred thousand assault sentinels. Are you sure that is wise?" Zero asked tilting his body slightly.
"Send them," Braga repeated earning a sigh from Zero who only nodded his body.
"Sending all assault sentinels to Mandalore via hyperjump," Zero notified as his eye started to flicker before he started to shake his head earning Braga's attention.
"What is it Brother Zero?" Braga asked.
"The Jedi Council is seeking assistance for the defense of Coruscant," Zero answered facing the Forerunner.
"...split the sentinel armada. Half will go to assist the invasion of Mandalore while the other half will help the Jedi defend Coruscant," Braga spoke up in which Zero nodded and caused his eyes to flash red again.
"I must ask Brother Braga...will take part in the invasion of Mandalore or defense of Coruscant?" Zero asked as he finished giving the new orders to the sentinels.
"Neither. My presence...although known will not act...not yet at least," Braga replied while closing his eyes. "Take command of the forces on the defense of Coruscant. As for the sentinels assisting Ahsoka...give her command but only enough to help sway the battle in their favor. No killing,"
"...understood Brother Braga," Zero spoke before fading away.
Time passed on before Zero reported the success in both the defense of Coruscant and invasion of Mandalore causing him to open his eyes slightly. That was until red alerts started to spread about all of Salvation as reports of the clone army turning on the Jedi's all across the galaxy causing Braga to look around in shock. Betray was nothing new in terms of war but Braga has never witnessed anything to this scale before in his life as his eyes looked at screen after screen of Jedi's being betrayed by their soldiers, soldiers that they fought alongside this entire war.
Although the death of the Jedi was great, the screens that caught his attention the most was the Jedi Temple that was being raided. Braga could not help but unfold his arms and sway his right arm to the holoscreen that showed the Jedi Temple as he saw young adults being slaughtered. The next screen made Braga freeze while his armor began to shimmer blood red as he watched Jedi Knights and Padawans being slaughtered by the very army that fought alongside their masters. Even with the clones killing Padawans, there was a single screen that caused tears to fall from Braga's eyes, it showed Anakin slaughtering children before his very eyes.
"Brother Braga?" Zero spoke reappearing behind the Forerunner.
"I shall take upon the Mantle of the Night," Braga spoke slowly turning his head to face Zero with his eyes wide. "Kill every Clone Trooper,"
"Kill? But...the creed of the Night?" Zero questioned shaking his body in disbelief.
"We will be following the creed of the Endless Night," Braga replied without hesitation.
"The creed of Endless Night? But...that was during the human-forerunner war. One in which the humans could hold their own against us," Zero commented.
"I will not watch as children are killed before my eyes anymore. Although I took no part in the glassing of human planets...it does not change the fact I did nothing to stop it. I will not stand idle this time when I have the power to save them," Braga spoke gripping his hands into fists.
"...to access the network please speak the Creed of the Endless Night," Zero said lowering his head.
"We are the eternal night that flows endlessly. We are the silence that roams with the fading light. We are the governing cloak of darkness that brings about unity. We are the inevitable end that cannot be outrun nor reasoned with. We are the shield that shelters those forsaken by the hope of freedom. This I speak...the creed of the Endless Night," Braga spoke as his armor continued to flicker from ocean blue to crimson red.
"Creed of the Endless Night...approved," Zero responded as he looked at Braga. "All units code have been overwritten to allow killing those weaker than ourselves. High Commander Braga of Silence and Power has access to Mantle of the Night,"
"Deploy all Limbo and Purgatory Lucrehulks to Coruscant as well as all remaining Assault Sentinels. The main mission is to rescue as many padawans as possible," Braga spoke making his way toward the hanger bay now.
"Where will you be going, Brother Braga?" Zero asked watching Braga walk off.
"I am going to visit Anakin Skywalker and have a word with him," Braga spoke stopping at the entrance of the door to glance over his shoulder to Zero. "Brother Zero...I am tasking you to lead the Night Children and Nightfall squad to find Ahsoka Tano to escort her back to Salvation. Can I trust you with this task?"
Zero merely nodded his head before Braga turned and continued his way toward Hangar Bay.
/To be continued